As western Montana heads back to work and school after the long pleasant Memorial Day holiday weekend, area rivers are still at flood stage, but the worst seems to be over.
While the floods of 2018 have hit and retreated from their highest levels in a hundred years, another danger buried for over half a century near the former Smurfit mill site sits waiting.
One of the most significant effects of the Clark Fork River flooding is the danger of toxic materials stored for the last half-century in the old Smurfit settling ponds that are separated from the swollen river by only a series of earthen berms, being released into the river.
A brief respite from the flood waters of the Clark Fork River is allowing homeowners who have been evacuated a few precious hours to check on their property, keep pumps running and retrieve medications.
The daily briefing from the Office of Emergency Management on Thursday focused on historic flooding, streams overwhelming culverts and the threat of flooding near the old Smurfit Stone container ponds.
The Missoula County Office of Emergency Management called an unusual Sunday afternoon press conference to announce historic flood levels headed for western Montana in the next few days that could extend into the summer
As of 10 o’clock Friday morning, the Missoula County Commissioners made an emergency proclamation due to the flooding of the Clark Fork and other county waterways.
The Clark Fork River has dropped below flood stage for the time being. The National Weather Service says the river has dropped to 9.7 feet, but is expected to rise again.
The National Weather Service reports that the Clark Fork River has dropped below 10 feet into what is called 'action stage', at 9.6 feet, but is expected to rise again as warm temperatures and rain are expected over the weekend
On Thursday, the Missoula Fire Department will be receiving swift water rescue training on the swollen Clark Fork River between East Missoula and the downtown area from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.